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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training
 
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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training [Paperback]

Karen Pryor (Author)
4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews) |
List Price: $17.00
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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training 4.5 out of 5 stars (57)
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Book Description

Publication Date: August 3, 1999 | ISBN-10: 0553380397 | ISBN-13: 978-0553380392 | Edition: Revised
A Better Way to Better Behavior

Karen Pryor's clear and entertaining explanation of behavioral training methods made Don't Shoot the Dog! a bestselling classic. Now this revised edition presents more of her insights into animal—and human—behavior.

A groundbreaking behavioral scientist and dynamic animal trainer, Karen Pryor is a powerful proponent of the principles and practical uses of positive reinforcement in teaching new behaviors. Here are the secrets of changing behavior in pets, kids—even yourself—without yelling, threats, force, punishment, guilt trips...or shooting the dog:

•The principles of the revolutionary "clicker training" method, which owes its phenomenal success to its immediacy of response—so there is no question what action you are rewarding
•8 methods of ending undesirable habits—from furniture-clawing cats to sloppy roommates
•The 10 laws of "shaping" behavior–for results without strain or pain through "affection training"
•Tips for house-training the dog, improving your tennis game, or dealing with an impossible teen
•Explorations of exciting new uses for reinforcement training

Learn why pet owners rave, "This book changed our lives!" and how these pioneering techniques can work for you too.

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Don't Shoot the Dog!: The New Art of Teaching and Training + The Culture Clash: A Revolutionary New Way to Understanding the Relationship Between Humans and Domestic Dogs + The Other End of the Leash: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs
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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This delightful, clear, and utterly helpful book is for anyone who wants to understand or change the behavior of an animal—whether the animal in question is a barking dog, a nosy neighbor, a hostile cat, or you and your own bad habits."—Carol Tavris, Ph.D., author of Anger

From the Inside Flap

A Better Way to Better Behavior

Karen Pryor's clear and entertaining explanation of behavioral training methods made Don't Shoot the Dog! a bestselling classic. Now this revised edition presents more of her insights into animal--and human--behavior.

A groundbreaking behavioral scientist and dynamic animal trainer, Karen Pryor is a powerful proponent of the principles and practical uses of positive reinforcement in teaching new behaviors. Here are the secrets of changing behavior in pets, kids--even yourself--without yelling, threats, force, punishment, guilt trips...or shooting the dog:

The principles of the revolutionary "clicker training" method, which owes its phenomenal success to its immediacy of response--so there is no question what action you are rewarding
8 methods of ending undesirable habits--from furniture-clawing cats to sloppy roommates
The 10 laws of "shaping" behavior--for results without strain or pain through "affection training"
Tips for house-training the dog, improving your tennis game, or dealing with an impossible teen
Explorations of exciting new uses for reinforcement training

Learn why pet owners rave, "This book changed our lives!" and how these pioneering techniques can work for you too.
See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

  • Paperback: 224 pages
  • Publisher: Bantam; Revised edition (August 3, 1999)
  • Language: English
  • ISBN-10: 0553380397
  • ISBN-13: 978-0553380392
  • Product Dimensions: 5.2 x 0.6 x 8.2 inches
  • Shipping Weight: 7.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
  • Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (98 customer reviews)
  • Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #19,985 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews
170 of 179 people found the following review helpful
not just for the dogs January 29, 2004
Format:Paperback
I've read quite a few dog behavior, training and intelligence books and always had this on the to read list because of its reputation of being the "bible" of dog training. But I didn't really want to read it because of the title, and hey, the cover isn't too imaginitive either. I know don't judge a book by a cover, but to be honest, reading has a sensual side too -- good clean lines, fits nice in the hands, smooth paper. You bookaholics know what I'm saying.

So, I finally got around to reading this and I can see why people say this book is life-changing. Pryor spent very little time talking about dogs specifically but showed many examples on how these methods could be used with people with disabilities, your own kids, spouse, cat etc.

I'm a trainer's assistant at a dog obedience school, and as I read this, it all looked familiar. It is basically the foundation philosophy of our school. It's a method of communication. A way to build a relationship and communicate what you want from your dog in a positive, punishment-free manner. Reading this book helped me clarify why we at the school do things as we do. And as I finished the book, I was thinking of one of the comments a woman made at a trainer's funeral. The gist was that she had learned from his gentle approach to the dogs, and this had spread to the way she approached people as well.

It's true. "Clicker training" as some people call this training philosophy will spill outside of your doggy life and into other areas... if you come to this as a dog trainer. As a dog trainer, your dog doesn't sit when you say sit. Instead of getting mad and saying sit sit sit! jerking on the collar or pushing on the butt, first you think "does my dog understand 'sit?'" Then you'd break it down into it's components -- sit is an action (head goes up, butt goes down) and responding to the command requires that 1. the dog knows the action 2. the dog knows the word is connected to the action. Then you'd find a way to get your dog past whatever is hanging him up. So, if this is your habitual style of response to other's "mistakes," you will start to develop patience, compassion and clear communication. And those skills will take you far in life.

And extra bonus -- besides learning training methods, you'll read alot of funny anecdotes about frisbee-playing elephants and bell-ringing hermit crabs too.

Was this review helpful to you?
134 of 142 people found the following review helpful
Format:Paperback
All of the reader reviews currently on the page deal with the first edition. I just received the new edition.

First, for those who are looking for a cook book to solve specific problems, this may not be it -- as a response to people who felt mislead by the title.

This ISN'T a dog training book, what it is, is a manual and a philosophy for solving the problems in your life caused by other's behavior, whether it is your husband, your children, your pets, or your co-workers.

The new edition brings in our new research and our ideas. Anecodotes are more relative and talk about people we all know and have met through the click-l list and other internet interactions.

This is definately the definitive book on behavior modification, and it is infinitely readable.

<CLICK> Good job Karen!

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84 of 87 people found the following review helpful
By A Customer
Format:Paperback
I recently bought this book on the advice of a doggy foster "parent", as a prelude to adopting from a local rescue organization. While this is not a how-to or step by step guide for training your dog, it is an excellent and clear book about behavior and how to shape it in a positive way. I was surprised at how much information I found useful for understanding my own relationship with my parents and how to be a better manager. The anecdotes help clarify the concepts, as well as making for very entertaining reading, and I especially appreciated the series of charts comparing different training methods and showing what can work best for a slew of different behavior problems. My next purchase will be a clicker training instruction manual, and I think it will be all the more valuable because Pryor's book has helped me understand WHY positive reinforcement works. Her book really explains the philosophy behind the methodology. Kudos.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
What about dogs?
Honestly this book was a great study on behavior but did not specially talk about dogs. The repeated reference to dolphins whales and whatever other animals became boring and I... Read more
Published 19 days ago by Carolyn Mantia
Don't Shoot the Dog
My son's therapist recommended this book to help us deal with some of the things he does. I have not read the entire book yet but so far it has been helpful. Read more
Published 4 months ago by Theodore J. Pafundi
The best all-around primer for positive training
This is an easy-to-read, detailed translation of various rather sophisticated behavioral principles into everyday language. The examples are clear, fun, and easy to understand. Read more
Published 5 months ago by Andrea L. Robinson
i loved it !
It should be a must buy when you have kids or get a dog. She is such a good writer and animal trainer. Her information can be used on dogs , kids, or people in general.
Published 8 months ago by cambria
Revolutionary
Could completely change the way you deal with people as well as animals. A surprising amount of the book deals with human interactions (several stories of how she accidentally used... Read more
Published 9 months ago by M. R. Tetuan
Great Book, Recommended to everyone!
This is a really good book, you can use it on animals or people.
We have a 6 month Cane Corso puppy and I am practicing K. Pryor suggestions everyday with him. Read more
Published 12 months ago by PBW
Great book, shipped quick!
This book has taught me so much about behavior and dealing with people and training dogs. All in one book! Read more
Published 13 months ago by Engineer In Training
For Dogs, Kids, Parents, Teachers, and Dolphins
Don't Shoot the Dog! The New Art of Teaching and Training is much more than a training book for pets or animals. Read more
Published 14 months ago by Bradley Bevers
A Great Visionary
There are other books that are better at giving the specifics of how to positively train your dog.

However, Karen Pryor was the first to use positive training for dogs. Read more
Published 15 months ago by Sarah1989
happy
Ordered this as a gift. It came in perfect condition, quickly and packaged well. Can't ask for more than that. :)
Published 17 months ago by J. Berman
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